Venice Simplon-Orient-Express
History: the VSOE made its first journey in 1883 between Paris and Istanbul. The original Wagons-Lits carriages date back to the 1920s and ’30s.
Routes: the classic route is between London and Venice via Paris but the train also makes regular stops at other cities including Florence, Rome, Prague, Monte Carlo and Istanbul.
Season: March to November.
Joining the train: bookings can be made for a whole journey or just one sector. Passengers joining in the UK travel from London to Folkestone on the 1920s and ’30s Pullman train and the Channel crossing is made on Hoverspeed’s SeaCat.
Sample fares (one-way): London-Paris (day car) £440; London-Venice (one night on train) £1,130. Prices include cabin accommodation and all table d’hote meals on board the train (excluding wine and bar drinks).
Operator packages: The Magic Travel Group is one of the UK’s biggest producers of business for the VSOE. In 1999 the operator will feature the product in its Magic of France and Italy programmes. Among the special packages on offer this year is a June 30 VSOE departure from Monte Carlo to London. Prices including two nights at Le Meridien Beach Plaza Hotel, BA scheduled flights from London to Nice, a helicopter transfer from Nice to Monte Carlo and one night aboard the train, start from £1,449 per person.